A reflection on Australian Jewry after October 7

For more than 200 years, Jews in Australia have felt a strong sense of safety and belonging. From the earliest Jewish convicts on the First Fleet to the free settlers who followed, successive generations cultivated a small but thriving community.

The arrival of pre-war refugees and Holocaust survivors, along with later waves of Jewish migrants fleeing persecution, further cemented this feeling of a paradise, a land of opportunities denied in their homelands.

The story of Australian Jewry has largely been one of courage, optimism and hope. Jews in the country prospered, contributing across every field of national life and becoming an integral part of its multicultural fabric. This long history of trust became a shared “DNA”, passed down as an unspoken assurance: Australia was home, and home was safe.

This perception was fundamentally shattered on October 7, 2023.

The horror unleashed in Israel by Hamas reverberated across the Jewish world, but for many Australian Jews, the shock was compounded by what followed in their own backyard: a wave of hostility and vitriol that surfaced within hours of the attacks. Protests filled the streets, not in solidarity with Israeli victims, but in support of the perpetrators.

A global surge of antisemitism emerged, rapidly reaching Australia in public discourse, across schools and universities, and in everyday interactions, alongside institutional silences that seemed to betray the long-standing trust in the broader societal framework.

The emotional impact was profound. Many long-standing friendships were strained, while others felt unsupported by colleagues. University campuses – spaces meant for learning and the exchange of ideas – were transformed into unsafe and unwelcoming environments for Jewish students and staff, creating a sense of isolation previously unknown.

For many, the confidence to be visibly Jewish in public, a hallmark of Australian Jewish life, has been eroded. What had once felt unshakable, such as personal safety, dignity in the civic sphere, and assurance in fair treatment, suddenly seemed fragile.

This reckoning has raised difficult questions. How do we make sense of the gap between the Australia we thought we knew and the one that revealed itself after October 7? How do we reconcile a long history of connection with the lived experience of exclusion and fear? And what does this moment mean for the future of Jewish life in this country?

Amid this uncertainty, the community has responded with resilience and initiative, and what began with disillusionment has given way to mobilisation. Almost immediately after that tragic day, official vigils attracted thousands, but what followed was the awakening of grassroots campaigns and volunteer-led support networks that felt compelled to act.

Individuals and groups alike have undertaken a range of efforts, from organising rallies and memorial events to educational sessions and social media projects to give voice to Jewish perspectives.

Israelis infused these initiatives with a distinctive activism, shaped by urgency and deep responsibility. Representative bodies have worked tirelessly to advocate for and uphold collective interests. Friendships and networks, forged in hardship, have become lifelines of solidarity and strength.

One notable aspect of this period is the diversity of responses within the personal realm. For some, it has reinforced a strong connection to Israel and a renewed appreciation of global Jewish peoplehood.

For others, it has sparked doubts about their place in Australia. Some find solace in public advocacy, while others turn inward, seeking safety in close-knit circles. These varied reactions reflect both the richness and the complexity of Australian Jewish life, where no single voice captures the entirety of the experience.

Unfortunately, as we approach the second anniversary of the atrocities of that day, the situation is still far from resolution. Large pro-Palestinian and anti-

Israel demonstrations continue to dominate Australian cities. Protests on university campuses calling for divestment remain widespread, and calls from officials to sever ties with Israel persist in the national debate.

History, however, offers perspective. This is not the first time Jews have faced upheaval, nor will it be the last. The story of Australian Jewry has always been one of adaptation and renewal. From the early settlers who practised Judaism in makeshift gatherings, to the Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives, each generation has navigated adversity with dignity and strength – this is the essence of our DNA. The present moment stands as a pivotal chapter in that long, unfolding story.

If there is a lesson to be drawn, it may be this: belonging is not a static condition, but a living process that must be nurtured, defended and reimagined. The challenge now is to carry forward the legacy of resilience, while also confronting the uncomfortable truths that have surfaced.

The reckoning is real, but so is hope. Out of uncertainty, clarity can arise; out of vulnerability, solidarity; and out of challenge, renewal. The task ahead is not to dwell on a sense of belonging lost, but to reforge it stronger, wiser and better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead, both at home and beyond.

Vanina Vaisman-Levy is an Israeli lawyer and a postgraduate researcher in the field of migrations studies at the University of Sydney.